RURAL HOUSING (WALES).

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made with the survey of the housing problems of the rural areas of Wales recently undertaken by his housing inspectors; and whether he can now announce what measures are to be adopted to deal with the problem?

The survey of housing conditions in rural Wales which, as I informed the House last month, the housing inspectors of my Department are carrying out, is proceeding with expedition. Eleven districts have now been visited. I have already received two reports and have communicated with the local authorities concerned on points raised in these reports. The remaining reports are in course of preparation and will be ready very shortly.

The programme involves visits to a large number of local authorities and each visit entails a thorough inspection of the area and consultation with members and officers of the local authority. The hon. Member will, I am sure, appreciate that at this stage I am not in a position to make any general pronouncement of the kind to which he refers.